I just installed a fresh copy of Windows XP and as the usual routine goes after installation : downloading and installing me favourite software. But before actually getting on the net, I armoured my pc with the BitDefender 8 Free Edition Antivirus software with firewall protection that comes with the Service Pack 2 of Windows XP. And they surely did good work when time asked for it.
I use Ares as my P2P software, went to the official download site and took myself the latest fresh copy. But something struck me mind before I installed it : scan the software! I don’t rely on the background scanner that most antivirus use to scan for things when you’re using your computer so I decided to run a manual scan.
What the heck? Ares is infected with some malware. I don’t have specific information about the pest but it seems that BitDefender classifies it as such.
So beware of Ares(even previous versions have been reported to have such anamoly)
Here are some vital stuffs to do when you have installed a fresh copy of Windows XP :
- Turn on System Restore and specify the amount of space you want to be used. I put mine as 2% which goes around the 359 MB which I suppose would be enough for a fresh install. Creating yourself a Restore point allows you to revert to your fresh installation if a driver or software package mess up the installation.
- Install a good antivirus software - I would suggest you BitDefender 8 Free Edition or Avast. Avast is more bulky though that’s why I dropped it for BitDefender.
- Flame your walls - For the present time I use the default Firewall coming with Service Pack 2 since ZoneAlarm, one of the best Firewalls out there catch everything on the way and sometimes becomes like a nuisance.
- When downloading any software even if it’s from a secured source, do run a manual scan on it by right-clicking on it and select scan or the appropriate command according to your Antivirus software
- Disable remote assistance and remote desktop - which could prove to be a dangerous pathway through which hackers can get access to your computer. Do a right-click on my computer and select the Remote tab. Then uncheck the respective checkboxes.
That’s it so beware of the software you download from the net and make sure you’re downloading from secure sources. If you have anything to add to this post, please do so using the comment form.
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19 responses so far ↓
s it so beware of the software you download from the net and make sure you’re downloading from secure sources. If you have anything to add to this post, please do so using the comment form. Share This © Hans for BlogoSquare, 2007. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | Search blogs linking this post with Technorati | Filed under under teenager’s life. Read more here
Erm, will you really force me to say it??
Well then,
cant be helped,
About firewalls and antivirus, i have used kerio for … many years in fact
and i’m really happy (it’s free)
and my teacher of informatic security advices us to use AVG as antivirus
Use software from the net with precaution!…
Watch out for malware from popular software packages!…
*uhum* *uhum*
hadn’t I told ya sometime back NOT to download the latest version of Ares coz it contains malware !!
enfin..
[ will complete the comment later .. need to go :s ]
(shortcomment)
Erm, now that i think of it,
Anoop indeed told ME
not to install the latest version
(While Hans urged me to do so…)
erm,
(/shortcomment) lol
the best is simply
Do not use your computer
keep it in a corner to avoid any viruses, malware etc
loooool yashvin !!!!
You know, Hans, that the free version of BitDefender doesn’t have a background scanner to watch for viruses all the time. Neither does AVG, that’s why I use Avast! It keeps my computer clean anyway.
Better think of another P2P program to use too!
@ kyu
yup thanks for this precious advice
actually I do have it on me compo but it’s sleeping.. you do know why lol 
hey would you be using ares too?…. psss I even forgot when I told you about it….
@ Nym:
will try this kerio…thanks for the advice but about avg I heard it lacks too many features….. infact I did have a review link listing all the antivirus/firewall software with their plus and minus and bitdefender was the best among : that’s why I chose it…….
will search whether I do have that link with me to get you an idea
@ Yashvin:
haha lol…. would prefer using a mac instead of a pc but not dropping them all
@ Phil :
are you sure Phil?
since during installation it allows you to choose the features you want and if you get it complete I’m almost sure that it was there…..don’t know 
will have to check it again…. I installed the recommended(light option) and as you said it didn’t install the background scanner 
@ anoop:
gotta give your suggestion buddy
it’s you who introduced me onto Ares and now waiting for you here to get me out into something else lol 
you’re my p2p consultant lol 
I recommend AVG antivirus, the complete set(antivirus,antispam,firewall etc)..as it provides max protection.Light and efficient software compared to others.. Give it a try..
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